Gauge rod



Patented Mar. 4, 1930 MICHAEL J'. KIST, 0F JOI-INSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA GAUGE ROD i Application led May 7, 1929.

This invention relates toigauge rods and more particularly to track gauge rods of the type having relatively adjustable jaws or clipsvto engage over the flanges of track rails,

,2do of th and has for its object the provision of a novel construction whereby one of the clips is completely insulated from the remainder of the rod by an insulating sleeve which is retained in position by the clip and, therefore, requires no rivets, bolts or other additional securing means.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing the gauge -rod of this invention positioned on the rails of a track.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the gauge rod.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional plan through the insulated end of the rod. Figure t is an end View of the insulated end e ro f Figure 5 is an end view of the adjustable jaw end of the rod.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional ele K25 vation through the adjustable jaw.

Figure ing pin. j

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the nut .used to retain the adjustable jaw in position. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 2 designates the tensioning rod portion of the gauge rod which has one end upset to form diametrically opposite pro- 7 is a perspective' view of the lockjecting lugs 3 comprising a head. The other end of the rod is threaded, as at 4. A pair of jaws 5 and 6 are mounted on the rod, and a nue 7 is threaded on the threaded end'of the ro Thefjaws 5 and 6 have base sleeve portions 8 adapted to be slidably mounted on the rod 2 and the outer ends of the jaws are each provided with an overhanging clip portion 9 adapted to engage the upper surface of the `flanges of the track rails A.

The jaw 5 has its sleeve portion bored to Va greater diameter than the diameter of the rod 2 and has its outer end enlarged or flared at diametrically opposite points, as at 10, to receive the lugs 3 on the rod. The enlarged or flared portions 10 are of greater dimensions than the lugs 3 so as to provide clearance.

Serial No. 361,058.

An insulating sleeve or bushing 12 having its one end enlarged or flared at diametrically opposite points, as at 13, to receive the upset lugs 3 on the end of the rod 2 is fitted within the bore of the sleeve portion of the jaw 5, and said jaw is forced into position at the head end of the rod so Lthat said insulating bushing 12 and jaw 5 are forced together and over the lugs 3 thereby interlocking the jaw 5 and bushing 12 with the rod 2 so as to prevent relative rotation thereof, and providing an insulating mounting for the jaw 5. j

The outer end face of the jaw 6 is flat and extends in a vertical plane when the jaw is inoperative position so as to form a bearing for thenut 7. f

The inner face of the nut is provided with diametrically oppositegrooves or slots l15 and the flat vertical outer end kface of the movable jaw 6 is provided with a plurality of slots 16 kof the same width as the slots 15. When the nut 7 is rotated the slots 15r are adapted to'be alined with the slots 16 to receive a locking pin or key 17. f

The back walls of the slots 16 are inclined inwardly adjacent the upper ends of said slots to form a deepened portion or pocket 18.

,The pins or keys 17 are provided with a chamfered lower end to. facilitate starting the pins, and their one side face is provided 4with a beveled projection 19 terminatingat its upper end in a squarel shoulder 20.'` In operation, afterthe rod is assembled and positioned on a rail, the nutr7 will be tightenedy so as to force the jaw 5 and bushing 12 into tight contact with the lugs 3 formthe head on the rod, and also lto force the jaw 6 into engagement with the track rail ange. When the nut 7 is tightened care is taken to position one of the slots 15 in alinement with one of the slots 16, and the pin or key 17 will be positioned in the alined slots since the adjustments of the rod are all made with the nut 7 and jaw 6 and the jaw 5 remains stationary after it is once assembled, the insulating bushing 12 is not subjected i to wear and its life is substantially indefinite.

I claim:

1. A gauge rod comprising a one-piece rod, member having one end upsettoform ahead portionl and the other end of said rod being threaded to receive a nut, a pair .of jaws having bored base portions to receive said rod, said jaws being removably mounted on said prod, one of said jaws having its bore enlarged at its outer end to receive said upset head of said rod, and a nutthreaded on the threaded end of said rod to contact with the outer endfaoe of said other jaw to move saidj aw4 toward the headed end of said rod to engage ftheflange of a track-rail and secure said" rod iii. place.

2'. A gauge rod'comprisingaone-piece rod member having one end upset' to form a head portion and' the other end of said' rodl being threaded' to receive a nut, a pair of jaws having bored base portions to receive said rod, saidjaws being removably mounted on said rod, one of said jaws having its bore enlarged at its outer end to receive said upof said rod, an

to receive said upset head on said rod and insulatingl sleeve mounted having one end ilared outwardly at diametrio cally oppos'te points to receive said head portion of said rod, said sleeve being adapted to fit within and insulate said first named jaw from said rod, said first named jaw and said sleeve being inter-locked with said'- head to prevent rotation of said jaw and sleeve relative to said rod, and a nut threaded on the threaded end of said rod to contact with the outer end face ofl said other `jaw to move said jaw toward the headed end of said rod to engage the flange 'of a track rail and secure said rod in place.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set myhand. I MICHAEL JQKIST.

set headi of saidy rod, an insulatingk sleeve i member having one end upset at diametricallyA opposite points toT form anenlarged head, andthe other end of'said rod being 'saidother jaw to movek 3,. Argauge rod comprisingaonelpiece rod threaded `to receive a1nut,.a pair ofvjaws havingftheir base portions .bored to receive said rod, said jaws. being removablyl mounted on said rod, oneof said jaws having the outer endfof its Ibore; enlarged atits top and bottom to receive saidA upset head of said rod and form aninterlock. therewith to prevent rotation of said jaw, and a nut threadedon the threaded end of said rod tok contact with the outer endface of saidother jaw to move said jawtoward the headed endv of said rod to engagethe ange of a track rail and secure said rodin place. n j l t Y 4'., Algauge rod comprisinga ,one-piece rod member having one end upset `at diametrically opposite .points to forml an enlarged head, and the other end of saidrod `being' threaded to receive anut, a pairfof j awshavlng their base portions bored to receive said rod, saidjaws being removably mounted on said` rod,one.ofy said j awshawing the outer end oititsfbore enlarged atiitsotop and bottom i 'ilor 

